What Is NASA?

nasa1.jpg
The NASA logo is painted on the outside of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy
Space Center in Florida, where spacecraft are prepared for launch.
Credits: NASA
This article is part of the NASA Knows! (Grades 5-8) series.

NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is a U.S.
government agency that is responsible for science and technology related to air and
space. The Space Age started in 1957 with the launch of the Soviet satellite
Sputnik.

NASA opened for business on Oct. 1, 1958. The agency was created to oversee U.S.
space exploration and aeronautics research.

The administrator is in charge of NASA. The NASA administrator is nominated by the

president and confirmed by a vote in the Senate.

About NASA
http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/index.html

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is pictured during a spacewalk

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is pictured during a spacewalk.
Symbols of NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/symbols-of-nasa.html

What Does NASA Do?

Many people know something about NASA’s work. But most probably have no idea about
how many different things the agency does. Astronauts in orbit conduct scientific
research. Satellites help scientists learn more about Earth. Space probes study the
solar system and beyond. New developments improve air travel and other aspects of
flight. NASA is also beginning a new program to send humans to explore the Moon and
Mars. In addition to those major missions, NASA does many other things. The agency
shares what it learns so that its information can make life better for people
worldwide. For example, companies can use NASA discoveries to create new spinoff
products.

NASA helps teachers prepare students who will be the engineers, scientists,
astronauts and other NASA workers of the future. They will be the adventurers who
will continue exploration of the solar system and universe. NASA has a tradition of
investing in programs and activities that inspire students, educators, families and
communities in the excitement and discovery of exploration. NASA offers training to
help teachers learn new ways to teach science, technology, engineering and
mathematics. The agency also involves students in NASA missions to help them get
excited about learning.

Contests and Things to Do With NASA

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/stu-k-8-current-opps.html

What Does NASA Do?

http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/what_does_nasa_do.html

Missions
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/index.html

U.S. map with NASA centers and facilities indicated by stars

Along with NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., there are 10 NASA centers and
seven test and research facilities all over the U. S.
Who Works for NASA?
NASA’s Headquarters is in Washington, D.C. The agency has nine centers, the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory and seven test and research facilities located in several
states around the country. More than 17,000 people work for NASA. Many more people
work with the agency as government contractors. These people are hired by companies
that NASA pays to do work. The combined workforce represents a variety of jobs.
Astronauts may be the best-known NASA employees, but they only represent a small
number of the total workforce. Many NASA workers are scientists and engineers. But
people there hold many other jobs, too, from secretaries to writers to lawyers to
teachers.

NASA Centers and Facilities

http://www.nasa.gov/about/sites/index.html

Career Corner for Students

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/career/index.html

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The Apollo 11 mission marked the first time human beings walked on the moon.
Credits: NASA
What Has NASA Done?
When NASA started, it began a program of human spaceflight. The Mercury, Gemini and
Apollo programs helped NASA learn about flying in space and resulted in the first
human landing on the Moon in 1969. Currently, NASA has astronauts living and
working on the International Space Station.

NASA’s robotic space probes have visited every planet in the solar system and
several other celestial bodies. Telescopes have allowed scientists to look at the
far reaches of space. Satellites have revealed a wealth of data about Earth,
resulting in valuable information such as a better understanding of weather
patterns.

NASA has helped develop and test a variety of cutting-edge aircraft. These aircraft
include planes that have set new records. Among other benefits, these tests have
helped engineers improve air transportation. NASA technology has contributed to
many items used in everyday life, from smoke detectors to medical tests.

In 2018, NASA celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Words to Know
Spinoff: a technology or product that was originally developed for the space
program. For example, the first smoke detector was made by a company for NASA to
use on Skylab, America's first space station. Now smoke detectors for the home are
a spinoff product.

Videos and Timeline: NASA 60 Years and Counting

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/60counting/overview.html

Interactive site: Trace Space Back To You

https://homeandcity.nasa.gov/

NASA Moon to Mars

https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars

NASA Knows: History (Grades 5-8)

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-
knows/history/index.html

Last Updated: Feb 6, 2020

Editor: Sandra May